Adwoa Aboah says her role in fashion industry is to be ‘f***ing authentic’

'I am myself through and through’

(Matt Crossick/PA Wire)

Model Adwoa Aboah says it is her duty to be "f*****g authentic" in the fashion industry so that she can set an example for others.

Having modelled for luxury fashion labels including Alexander Wang, Versace and Erdem, Aboah has also made a name for herself throughout her career with her dedication to activism.

In 2015, the British fashion model launched Gurls Talk, an online resource that gives young women the opportunity to openly discuss issues including mental health, education and relationships.

Speaking about the importance to use her high-profile in the media, Aboah tells Refinery29: "I think my role in [the fashion industry] is just to be, like, f*****g authentic… to be unapologetically myself. I am myself through and through.

"And if that can set an example for others on their journey, then I think that that’s as good a message as any."

The 26-year-old explains that the first time she felt a "huge sense of pride" in herself was when she appeared on the cover of Italian Vogue in December 2015, photographed by Tim Walker.

"Because I saw myself," she adds. "It didn't feel like I'd been changed or made to look a certain way.

"I really saw myself in it, and that made me feel really happy."

While Aboah's modelling career has seen her appear on the covers of fashion publications such as American Vogue, British Vogue and i-D, her proudest moment has been creating Gurls Talk, which she describes as her "favourite thing in the world".

"It came down to creating a safe space where all topics had the ability to be shared," the model says.

"I wanted to create a space where we were going to advocate talking about those things."

Earlier this month it was announced Aboah had been turned into a Barbie in celebration of International Women's Day 2019.

Toy company Mattel honoured the activist with a one-of-a-kind "Shero" doll in her likeness.

“I’m passionate about encouraging girls to be anything they want to be, and I’m honoured to be a Barbie Shero,” Aboah said following the announcement.